Helen Howard
Papers
1
Total Citations
255
H-Index
1
About
Helen Howard is a leading surgical oncologist whose work has fundamentally shaped the modern treatment of rectal cancer. Her primary research focuses on minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly the comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted versus standard laparoscopic surgery for curative cancer treatment. Howard’s landmark contribution is her role as principal investigator of the ROLARR trial, a groundbreaking international, multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled study published in 2011. This pivotal work, cited over 255 times, provided the first high-level evidence comparing robotic and laparoscopic approaches for rectal cancer resection, directly influencing clinical guidelines worldwide. By demonstrating that robotic surgery offers comparable oncologic outcomes to laparoscopy, Howard helped clarify the role of emerging technology in the operating room. Her rigorous, pragmatic trial design set a new standard for evaluating surgical innovations. Beyond this signature study, Howard has authored numerous papers on colorectal cancer outcomes, surgical quality metrics, and patient recovery. Her work is distinguished by its commitment to evidence-based surgery, large-scale collaboration, and a patient-centred focus. For students and researchers, Howard exemplifies how a single, well-conducted trial can transform clinical practice and define a field.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1